Wildest Dreams - c.l.

Red

Red. Everything here is red.

The Ferrari building was gorgeous, its modern.
Previous Ferrari driver's posters hung on every wall. The lobby was surrounded by Ferrari cars from the 1950s to now. I walked through the past of Ferrari until I stopped in front of a familiar face.

Michael Schumacher

He's one of the reason I drive. I saw him in Brazil at the 2004 Grand Prix. I watched him win his last ever Drivers World Championship. My mother knew him from when she was younger, they stayed friends till her death. I had met him soon after I was born occasionally seeing him. But the only interaction that mattered was before the race. He had asked me to walk the track with him.

He told me to talk him through every turn and so I did. Once we were walking back towards the paddock I asked him the question that had lingered in my mind for the longest time.

"Uncle Michael?" I stopped in my tracks and looked up towards him. "Yes Stell?" He asked turning to face me.

I mustered up the courage, "Do you think I'll ever be a world champion?" I said in almost in a whisper. He sighed and crouched down to my level. I stared at the ground now, preparing myself for disappointment.

"Hey, look at me," He said lifting my head and meeting my eyes, "You have the wildest dreams but when your time comes, you will be the greatest thing this world has ever seen. I'm sure of it." His words were enough to make the little girl I was happy.
"Your mother and I will big your biggest supporters, watching you from the paddock. I promise."

I wiped the tear that escaped, off my cheek and sniffled. I never cried and within 24 hours I had twice. Before I could slip into another memory, a man called out my name. He escorted me into a room with glass walls and a large wooden table in the middle. I was sat down on one side of the table and a women sat to my left. She introduced herself as Sofia Russo, she's my PR manager. We were discussing my first interview and how major it was going to be. I mean first female and youngest driver to ever step on the track. I just barely beat Max Verstappen for youngest driver. We started to talk about what I've thought of Monaco so far and the people. That's he walked in. I'm starting to believe his following me.

He froze at the door and stared at me. It was like he couldn't believe it, trust me I couldn't. He blinked away his expression and quickly put on his cocky grin making my eyes roll in annoyance.

"Hello there Estrellita" He said seating himself across from me, his PR manager sitting next him.
"Charlie" I said trying not to look at him too much. Sofia gave me a little smirk after seeing our interaction.

The meeting went on for two hours. They gave us our schedules and diets. Information about the cars and told that we had to be in good behavior.

The entire meeting I couldn't help but feel Charles's eyes on me. He has a serious staring problem. Yesterday I was fine with it but this is my career, I will not let him get in my way.

I hadn't connected the dots but Charles was one of the boy I raced against in my karting days. He looked the same but different enough for me not to recognize him.

They dismissed us to go have our first training session. I changed out of my jeans and black crop top into black workout shorts and a black sports bra. I decided to throw on an over sized t-shirt.
Walking into the gym I was looking around the walls seeing the other paintings hung. As I walked passed a hallway I felt a hand grab my arm and drag me. I was quickly pinned against the wall. I looked up to see Charles peering down at me.

"What are you doing here?" He asked almost angrily. "Breaking in, what do you think? Were you not paying attention to the two hour long meeting?" I snapped back it him. I tried to walk away from him. He placed both hands against the wall, trapping me in between.